Dermatology: Skin Lesions and Vascular Abnormalities Key Terms

Macule

flat, colored spot on the skin (freckle), less than 1 cm

patch

a flat, discolored area on the skin larger than 1 cm

papule

small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin, less than 1cm

Nodule

solid, deep, round or oval elevated lesion 1 cm or more in diameter

Vesicle

small circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid, less than 1 cm in diameter

Bulla

circumscribed elevation of the epidermis containing clear fluid, greater than 1 cm in diameter

plaque

a solid mass greater than 1 cm in diameter and limited to the surface of the skin

wheal

small, round, raised area consisting of dermal edema; my go away after 24-48 hours

ex: hives, mosiquito bite

pustule

small palpable collection of pus

comedone

plugged opening of sebaceous gland at pore/follicle

furuncle

skin abscess at the hair follicle and surrounding tissues

carbuncle

cluster of furuncles in the subcutaneous tissue

erosion

loss of superficial epidermis, the surface is moist but does not bleed; can heal without scarring because it is more superficial

(secondary lesion)

ulcer

full-thickness loss of the epidermis with damage to the dermis; may bleed and scar

(secondary lesion)

Crust

dried exudate overlying and impaired epidermis (ex: impetigo)

(secondary lesion)

scale

accumulation of loose fragments exfoliated epidermis (ex: dandruff or psoriasis)

(secondary lesion)

Lichenification

thickening and roughening of the skin with increased visibility of the normal skin furrows ex: atopic dermatitis

(secondary lesion)

atrophy

thinning of the skin with loss of the normal skin furrows

(secondary lesion)

Excoriation

Abrasion or scratch mark

(secondary lesion)

scar

replacement of destroyed tissue by fibrous tissue

(secondary lesion)

keloid

firm, hypertrophic mass of scar tissue that extends beyond area of injury

(secondary lesion)

fissure

a linear crack in the skin

(secondary lesion)

Petechiae

reddish-purple macules

papura

reddish-purple macules, 4mm-10mm

(vascular lesion)

Ecchymosis

purple or blue macules caused by trauma, fade over time, >10mm

(vascular lesion)

Hematoma

Localized collection of blood outside blood vessels creating an elevated ecchymosis

(vascular lesion)

Telangiectasia

fine, irregular, red lines produced by capillary dilation

(vascular lesion)

spider angioma

central red macule with radiating spider like arms

(vascular lesion)

cherry angioma

small red papules

(vascular lesion)

hemangioma

vascular, benign tumor made of an abnormal cluster of blood vessels that form a localized birthmark or mass